KB Partners launches $75 million fund

(Crain's) - The founders of KB Partners, a Chicago-based venture firm, are raising money for a new $75 million investment fund.

Called Stratus Ventures LLC, the fund will target early-stage investment opportunities in technology and healthcare companies located from Mid-Atlantic States to the Rocky Mountains.

The fund will be managed by KB Managing Directors Bob Zieserl and Robert Garber.

"We continue to see extremely interesting teams and technologies coming from markets of Silicon Valley and the Boston-area, just as we did at KB Partners," Mr. Zieserl said in a statement. "There are excellent opportunities to build market-leading companies that leverage the resources of leading research and academic institutions in these markets."

Stratus Ventures will seek target investment opportunities of $2 million to $5 million in companies that provide software, medical devices, healthcare services, diagnostics and technology-enabled services.